3.3.1

Introduction to Halogens

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Introduction to Halogens

Halogens are found in Group 7 of the periodic table.

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Halogens

  • Halogens are located in Group 7 of the periodic table.
    • They are non-metals.
    • They tend to form negative ions called halide ions.
    • The halogens are made up of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine.
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Halogen phases

  • Fluorine - gas.
  • Chlorine - gas.
  • Bromine - liquid.
  • Iodine - solid.
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Halogen electron configuration

  • Fluorine - 1s22s22p5
  • Chlorine - 1s22s22p63s23p5
  • Bromine - 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p5
  • Iodine - 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d105s25p5
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Halogen formulae

  • Halogens all tend to exist as diatomic molecules.
    • Fluorine - F2
    • Chlorine - Cl2
    • Bromine - Br2
    • Iodine - I2

Properties of Group 7 Halogens

In this section, we will explore some core trends in the properties of the halogens. We will cover electronegativity, boiling point, and solubility of silver halides.

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Halogen electronegativity

  • Electronegativity is how strongly an element attracts a bonding pair of electrons.
    • You should already know that fluorine is the most electronegative element.
  • Electronegativity decreases as you go down Group 7.
    • This is because atomic radius increases and so electrons experience less attraction to the nucleus.
    • Electrons become further away from the nucleus and so experience a lower attraction.
    • This means that the electronegativity is lower.
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Halogen boiling points

  • Boiling points increase down the group. At room temperature:
    • Fluorine and chlorine are gases.
    • Bromine is a liquid.
    • Iodine is a solid.
  • This is because elements have more electrons as you go down Group 7.
    • This causes an increase in van der Waals forces.
    • Stronger van der Waals forces means greater intermolecular forces.
    • This means a higher boiling point.
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Silver halide solubility in NH3(l)

  • All silver halides precipitate out of aqueous solution.
    • When ammonia is added, they may dissolve again.
    • Solubility in ammonia decreases as you go down Group 7.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

2Physical Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

3Inorganic Chemistry

4Inorganic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

5Organic Chemistry 1

6Organic Chemistry 2 (A2 Only)

6.1Optical Isomerism (A2 Only)

6.2Aldehydes & Ketones (A2 Only)

6.3Carboxylic Acids & Esters (A2 Only)

6.4Aromatic Chemistry (A2 Only)

6.5Amines (A2 Only)

6.6Polymers (A2 Only)

6.7Biological Organic (A2 Only)

6.8Organic Synthesis (A2 Only)

6.9NMR Spectroscopy (A2 Only)

6.10Chromatography (A2 Only)

6.11A-A* (AO3/4) - Organic 2

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